Suspended stairs

ABSTRACT

Two embodiments of a suspended stairway are disclosed. In the first embodiment a single step formed from slats and spacers is suspended by a pair of iron straps which are secured to a wall. The straps extend from an upper securing position diagonally down to, around and under the steps terminating behind and above the step at a second securing position. Each of the straps have formed integrally therein a handle portion. The second embodiment extends the concepts of the first embodiment to a multiple stair stairway.

United States Patent [191 Muzer et al.

SUSPENDED STAIRS Inventors: Arthur Muzer, 33 Krattiger Court,

West Milford, Butler; Adam Muzer, Madison Avenue, West Milford, New Foundland, both of NJ.

Filed: Mar. 6, 1972 App]. No.: 231,898

US. Cl 182/93, 182/106, 182/150 Int. Cl. E06c 9/02 Field of Search 182/150, 132, 194,

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 12/1955 Ricciuti.... 182/150 10/1909 Niblack 182/106 11/1923 Folliard 182/223 111 3,743,052 [4'51 July 3, 1973 3,422,924 H1969 Bennett 182/194 2,854,292 9/1958 Schaefier 182/150 Primary Examiner-Reinaldo P. Machado Attorney-Lawrence l. Lerner et al.

[57 ABSTRACT Two embodiments of a suspended stairway are disclosed. In the first embodiment a single step formed from slats and spacers is suspended by a pair of iron straps which are secured to a wall. The straps extend from an upper securing position diagonally down to, around and under the steps terminating behind and above the step at a second securing position. Each of the straps have formed integrally therein a handle portion. The second embodiment extends the concepts of the first embodiment to a multiple stair stairway.

3 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures SUSPENDED STAIRS FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to stairways and particularly to suspended stairways.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Most stairways built are designed for use where a firm footing exists for structural support thereof. Indoor stairways normally rest firmly upon the floor from which they extend. Outdoor stairways are usually built upon a firm foundation.

Situations arise where it is necessary to build a stairway from a first level to a second where a firm footing is not available and would be economically unfeasible to construct. An example of this type of situation is where one desires to place a step or two below a doorway from a house to a backyard or patio area.

Numerous arrangements have been devised for suspending stairways from walls. Each of the ones, however, heretofore developed suffer from one or another limitations which render them economically, constructionally or aesthetically unsuitable for certain uses.

In order for any item to gain acceptance in the new home or hime improvement market (such as stairways for patios), it must not only serve the intended function but must also be capable of being constructed in an aesthetically pleasing decor. In many of the heretofore developed suspended stairways the structural requirements necessary for supporting the stairways or interconnecting the stairs with the supporting means have required the use of materials which would be unacceptable in the above referred to markets.

Therefore, it is an object of this invention to provide a new and improved suspended stairway.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a new and improved suspended stairway which is not only structurally sound but is constructed of materials suitable for use in and around homes.

It is still a further object of this invention to provide a new and improved suspended stairway in which the features thereof do not unduly limit the choice of materials suitable for the stair portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION With these and other objects in view the present invention contemplates a stairway for suspension from a wall which includes a platform member to serve as a step and a pair of straps. Each of the straps form a support bracket mounted adjacent to one of the ends of the platform member for suspending the platform member from the wall.

Each of the straps is bent to provide an upper securing portion adapted for attachment to a wall, a diagonally extending portion running from the upper securing portion to the platform member, a step supporting portion running around and under the platform member to provide support therefor and a lower securing portion extending from the step supporting portion behind and above the platform member adapted for attachment to the wall to insure that the straps will be in tension and the torque generated by the weight of a person stepping on the platform member will be strongly resisted by the portion of the wall adjacent to the platform member.

In one embodiment the straps include additional portions extending therefrom for supporting additional platform members to provide a multi-step stairway.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For a more complete understanding of this invention reference should be made to the following detailed description and drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a prospective view of a suspended stairway constructed in accordance with the teachings of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the stairway shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a prospective view of another embodiment of the suspended stairway shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the suspended stairway shown in FIG. 3; and

FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing the constructional features of the stair portion of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 through 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2 we see a first embodiment of a suspended stairway 10 mounted on a wall 1 l. The stairway includes a pair of steps or platform members 12 and 13 suspended by a pair of identical iron straps 14 and 16.

Each of the steps 12 and 13 (see also FIG. 5) is constructed from a number of wooden slats 17 separated by spacer members 18. Each of the steps 12 and 13 are held together by bolts 19 extending laterally through the slats 17 and the spacer members 18 to form the selfcontained steps 12 and 13.

Each of the straps 15 and 16 have an upper securing portion 21 which is secured by rivets 22 to the wall 1 1. Extending diagonally down from the upper securing portion 21 is a member 23 which terminates in a bend by the step 12. The straps l4 and 16 include an additional portion 24 whic extends under the steps 12 and 13. A lower securing portion 26 extends behind the steps 13 and above it for attachment to the wall 11 by a rivet 27. In this embodiment an additional diagonal member 28 extends back from the portion 24 to the upper securing member 21.

In this way by using a single iron strap for each support bracket which extends around, under and below the platform members 12 and 13 to extablish the second point of securement of the steps to the wall above the platform member 13, all portions of the steps 14 and 16 are placed in tension when a person steps on either of the platform members 12 and 13. This is a distinct structural advantage since it is well known that iron has considerably more tensile strength than compression strength. It should also be noted that by placing the second securing point above the platform member 13 the moment arm or torque generated by the weight of a person on the platform members 12 and 13 will be strongly resisted by the portion of the wall 11 which is below the lower securing portion 26.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4 we see a second embodiment of the suspended stairway of FIGS. 1 and 2. In this embodiment only one platform member 29 is employed. Such a stairway would be particularly suitable for a slight transition from a patio to a doorway in a home.

The platform member 29 is supported by a pair of iron straps 31 and 32 which include many of the same features of the straps 14 and 16. Each of the straps 31 and 32 have an upper securing portion 33 which is held by rivets 34 to a wall 36. Extending diagonally down from the upper securing portion 33 is a member 37 which terminates in a bend by the platform member 29. The straps 31 and 32 include an additional portion 38 which extends under the platform member 29. A lower securing portion 39 extends behind the platform member 29 and above it for attachment to the wall 36 by a rivet 41.

It should be clear that in this embodiment, as in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the straps 31 and 32 are completely in tension when weight is applied to the platform member 29 because of the placement of the rivets 41. Also the torque generated by weight on the platform member 29 is strongly resisted by the portion of the wall 36 below the rivets 41.

it should be appreciated that while this invention has been described with respect to two particular embodiments numerous others will become obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art in light thereof.

What is claimed is:

l. A stairway for suspension from a wall which includes:'

a first platform member to serve as a step; said first platform member having first and second ends;

a pair of straps, each of said straps forming a support bracket mounted adjacent to one of said ends of said first platform member for supporting and suspending said first platform member from said wall;

an upper securing portion adapted for attachment to said wall;

a first diagonally extending portion running from said upper securing portion to sid first platform memher;

first step supporting portion running around and under said first platform member to provide support therefor;

lower securing portion extending from said first step supporting portion behind and above said first platform member adapted for attachment to said wall to insure that said straps will be in tension and the torque generated by the weight of a person stepping on said first platform member will be strongly resisted by the portion of the wall adjacent to said first platform member;

a second platform member; and each of said straps also include:

a second step supporting portion extending from said first step supporting portion; and

a second diagonally extending portion running back from said second step supporting portion to said upper securing portion.

2. The stairway as defined in claim 1 in which each of said straps also include:

a handrail portion extending from said upper securing portion bent over and forming a handrail for said stairway.

3. The stairway as defined in claim 2 in which each of said straps are made from a ferrous metal. 

1. A stairway for suspension from a wall which includes: a first platform member to serve as a step; said first platform member having first and second ends; a pair of straps, each of said straps forming a support bracket mounted adjacent to one of said ends of said first platform member for supporting and suspending said first platform member from said wall; an upper securing portion adapted for attachment to said wall; a first diagonally extending portion running from said upper securing portion to said first platform member; a first step supporting portion running around and under said first platform member to provide support therefor; a lower securing portion extending from said first step supporting portion behind and above said first platform member adapted for attachment to said wall to insure that said straps will be in tension and the torque generated by the weight of a person stepping on said first platform member will be strongly resisted by the portion of the wall adjacent to said first platform member; a second platform member; and each of said straps also include: a second step supporting portion extending from said first step supporting portion; and a second diagonally extending portion running back from said second step supporting portion to said upper securing portion.
 2. The stairway as defined in claim 1 in which each of said straps also include: a handrail portion extending from said upper securing portion bent over and forming a handrail for said stairway.
 3. The stairway as defined in claim 2 in which each of said straps are made from a ferrous metal. 